publicdiplomacycouncil.org
Wednesday, November 30th 2016
BBG Chairman Jeff Shell at today's meeting
Jeff Shell, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, announced at today’s open board meeting that this could be the last meeting of the BBG board.
Under legislation introduced that was to be considered this afternoon, the BBG board members would only serve until the end of their terms – and all board members’ terms have already expired. That means there would be no board, effective immediately.
“It is possible, even likely, for the legislation to pass in the next week,” Shell said. The legislation would then go to reconciliation and then take effect after being signed by President Obama. The White House has already indicated its support of the measure.
That would leave CEO John Lansing, who himself would become subject to political approval, as the remaining firewall between politics and independent journalism at U.S. international broadcasting.
“It will be up to the CEO to keep the organization independent and separate,” Shell said.
Video of today’s meeting will be posted later today at https://www.bbg.gov/2016/11/30/board-meeting-november-2016/
Republicans in the House have long favored replacing the current board with a new organization that could include two new boards.
The text of the legislation is Section 1288 of https://rules.house.gov/conference-report/s-2943
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